Concrete modular element for use in building applications

ABSTRACT

A concrete modular element for use in a variety of building applications comprising: a slab, a ceiling, at least two walls, and a plurality of support beams. The walls comprise a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of each of the walls is connected to the slab while the distal end is connected to the ceiling. The slab and the ceiling both comprise a plurality of elongated sides. The slab, the ceiling, the walls, and the support beams integrally formed in a continuous concrete casting.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a Continuation-In-Part application ofpreviously filed, now pending application having Ser. No. 15/230,013which was filed on Aug. 5, 2016, which claims priority of Argentinianutility patent application number 20110103863 filed Aug. 13, 2015, thecontents of which are both incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of structural modules for usein building applications, which may be used alone or in combination toform at least part of an overall larger structure.

Description of the Related Art

Pre-arranged, pre-assembled, or otherwise pre-fabricated structures arebelieved to exist which may be used in building applications. Some ofthese believed to exist products may be used in combination with eachother to form a building. Existing products, however, require assemblyof different components, such as floors, walls, ceilings, etc. In turn,this generates considerable expense due to the labor required duringproduction. Likewise, the efficacy of the construction or otherwiseinstallation of these products is limited due to the need to assembledifferent components.

The industry would benefit by providing a modular element that wouldreduce the effort required for its production. Thus, an advantage overexisting products would be realized by providing a modular elementcomprising concrete that may be formed in a continuous casting. Such amodular element would reduce the labor associated with its production,and would permit an efficient and relatively effortless installation. Aneven further benefit would be realized by providing a plurality of suchconcrete modular elements that may be cooperatively used to efficientlyform at least a part of a building or a structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is directed towards a concrete modular element foruse in a variety of building applications. It is within the scope of thepresent invention that the inventive concrete modular element be formedin a continuous casting in order to substantially avoid, limit, orotherwise reduce the formation of cold joints. Cold joints arediscontinuities or inconsistencies in the concrete that occur when aportion of the concrete begins to set or harden before the next oradjacent portion is cast. Cold joints are an area of relative weaknesswithin the concrete. The concrete modular element according to thepresent invention may be provided in a variety of sizes according topreference and/or the specific application. It is also within the scopeof the present invention, that the concrete modular element be used byitself to form at least part of a building or structure. Additionally,two or more of the inventive concrete modular elements may becooperatively used to form at least part of the building or structure.

The concrete modular element generally comprises a slab, at least twowalls, and a ceiling, all of which should be formed together in acontinuous concrete casting. A variety of shapes of the slab and/orceiling are within the scope of the present invention. However, the slaband the ceiling should have substantially similar shapes and dimensions.For example, if the shape of the slab is substantially square, the shapeof the ceiling should also be substantially square, and both the slaband the ceiling should have substantially similar dimensions. If theslab comprises a substantially rectangular shape, so should the ceiling.Thus, the slab and the ceiling each generally comprise a plurality ofelongated sides. The length of each one of the plurality of sides of theslab should substantially correspond to the length of a correspondingone of the plurality of sides of the ceiling. Each of the walls aregenerally disposed between the slab and the ceiling. Each of the wallscomprises a proximal end, which is connected to one of the sides of theslab, and a distal end, which is connected to one of the sides of theceiling.

The concrete modular element according to the present invention maycomprise at least one open end substantially disposed between said slaband said ceiling, and between said at least two walls. The open end maybe substantially disposed next to consecutively disposed walls, or maybe disposed in between oppositely disposed walls. For example, if theslab and a ceiling each have four elongated sides, the concrete modularelement may generally comprise two or three walls. If the concretemodular element comprises two walls, two open ends may be disposedbetween oppositely disposed walls. If the concrete modular elementscomprises three walls, one open end may be disposed between two of thethree sides. If the concrete modular element comprises two adjacentlydisposed walls, one open end may be disposed adjacent to one of thewalls, while a different open end may be disposed adjacent to the otherof the two walls.

An additional feature of the present invention includes providing aconcrete modular element having a plurality of support beams. Theplurality of support beams are generally connected to the slab, and aredisposed in a spaced apart relation. This spaced apart relation betweensuccessive beams, together with the slab and/or the ground surface, mayform at least one air chamber. The air chamber(s) is intended to permitnatural circulation of air below the concrete modular element. Suchcirculation of air is advantageous in certain instances where hot airmay accumulate below the concrete modular element. Thus, the airchamber(s) may function as a refrigerant by allowing cooler air tocirculate and at least partially reduce and/or maintain the temperatureof the concrete modular element. If the concrete modular elementcomprises a plurality of support beams, the slab, the ceiling, thewalls, and the support beams should be formed together in a continuousconcrete casting.

A further feature of the present invention comprises using at least twoconcrete modular elements to form at least part of a two or more storybuilding or structure. Due to their unitary nature, each concretemodular element may be hoisted or otherwise transported to its intendedfinal location, such as within the building or structure, with relativeefficacy. Adjacently disposed concrete modular elements may be securedto each other with a variety of mechanisms that will substantiallymaintain the structural, and watertight, integrity of the building orstructure.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detaileddescription are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the concretemodular element according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a different embodiment of theconcrete modular element according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of yet a different embodiment of theconcrete modular element according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of even a different embodiment of theconcrete modular element according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the concretemodular element according to the present invention comprising aplurality of beams.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the concrete modularelement according to the present invention comprising a plurality ofbeams.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of the concretemodular element according to the present invention comprising aplurality of beams.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of one embodiment according to thepresent invention comprising two concrete modular elements, eachcomprising a plurality of beams, cooperatively disposed to form at leasta portion of a two story building or structure.

FIG. 9A is a side view of the embodiment as represented in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9B is a side view of a different embodiment according to thepresent invention comprising two concrete modular elements, eachcomprising a plurality of beams, cooperatively disposed to forma atleast a portion of a two story building or structure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the presentinvention comprising two concrete modular elements, one comprising aplurality of beams, cooperatively disposed to form at least a portion ofa two story building or structure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment as represented in FIG.8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment according to the presentinvention comprising two concrete modular elements, each comprising aplurality of beams, cooperatively disposed to form at least a portion ofa two story building or structure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The current invention is directed towards a modular element 1 for use ina variety of building applications, including, but not necessarilylimited to buildings, structures, or components thereof; for use inresidential, office, and/or other related settings. Although theinventive modular element 1 may be formed from a variety of materials,concrete is a suitable material given its ability to conform to avariety of different dimensional configurations. It is within the scopeof the present invention that the inventive modular element 1 be formedin a continuous concrete casting. As used herein, a concrete casting isreferred to as the process of placing a fresh concrete mixture intoforms or molds, so that the resulting concrete may conform to the shapeof the forms or molds. Thus, care during forming should be taken toensure that cold joints are avoided.

As represented at least in FIGS. 1-4, the concrete modular element 1according to the present invention comprises a slab, generally indicatedas 10. The footprint of the slab 10 may comprise a variety of shapessuch as substantially square, or substantially rectangular. Other shapesof the slab 10 comprising an even or an odd number of sides are alsopossible such as, but not necessarily limited to, pentagonal, hexagonal,heptagonal, octagonal, or other related shapes. With further referenceto at least FIGS. 1-4, the inventive modular element 1 may comprise foursides, which are indicated as 12, 14, 16 and 18.

As also represented at least in FIGS. 1-4, the concrete modular element1 of the present invention also comprises a top component or ceiling,indicated as 20. The ceiling 20 should comprise a shape thatsubstantially corresponds to that of the slab 10. For example, if theconcrete modular element 1 comprises a slab 10 with a substantiallysquare configuration, the ceiling 20 should also comprise asubstantially square configuration. FIGS. 1-4 represent illustrativeembodiments of the concrete modular element 1 according to the presentinvention comprising a ceiling 20 with a substantially squareconfiguration, and a corresponding slab 10 also comprising a squareconfiguration. Thus, for each side 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the slab, thereshould be corresponding sides of the ceiling 20, which are respectivelyindicated as 22, 24, 26, and 28.

As also represented in FIGS. 1-4, the inventive concrete modular element1 comprises at least two walls, each indicated as 30. Each wall(s) 30 isgenerally disposed between the slab 10 and the ceiling 20. Each wall(s)30 comprises a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34. The proximal end 32generally connects to the slab 10, while the distal end 34 generallyconnects to the ceiling 20. For example, the illustrative embodiment asrepresented in FIG. 1 shows a concrete modular element 1 comprising twowalls 30. In FIG. 1, one wall 30 connects around its proximal end 32 tothe side 14 of the slab 10, and at the distal end 34 to thecorresponding side 24 of the ceiling 20. Also in FIG. 1, a differentwall 30 connects around its proximal end 32 to the side 16 of the slab10 and at the distal end 34 to the corresponding side 24 of the ceiling26. As also represented at least in the illustrative embodiment of FIG.1, two consecutive walls 30 connect to each other around a lateralsection 36.

Although the inventive concrete modular element 1 may comprise one wall30, as may be appreciated in FIGS. 1-4, the inventive concrete modularelement 1 should comprise at least two walls 30, which may cooperativelyachieve and/or maintain at least partial stability. For example, asrepresented in the illustrative embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 4, theconcrete modular element 1 may comprise two walls 30. An open end,indicated as 30′, may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the walls30. By way of example only, the illustrative embodiment as representedin FIG. 1 shows an open end 30′ that is disposed between sides 12 and22, respectively of the slab 10 and the ceiling 20. The illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 1 further shows a different open end 30′ disposedbetween the sides 18 and 28, respectively of the slab 10 and the ceiling20. In the illustrative embodiment represented in FIG. 4, an open end30′ is disposed between the sides 14 and 24, respectively of the slab 10and ceiling 20, and a different open end 30′ disposed between the sides18 and 28, respectively of the slab 10 and ceiling 20.

Additional configurations of the open end(s) 30′ of the concrete modularelement 1 are also possible. For example, the illustrative embodiment asrepresented in FIG. 3 shows a concrete modular element 1 comprising attwo walls 30, and one open end 30′ disposed between the sides 16 and 26,respectively of the slab 10 and ceiling 20. The concrete modular element1 as represented in FIG. 3 also comprises a different open end 30′disposed between sides 18 and 28, respectively of the slab 10 and theceiling 20. As an alternative configuration, as shown at least in FIG.2, the concrete modular element 1 may comprise three walls 30 and oneopen end 30′. In FIG. 2, the open end 30′ is disposed betweencorresponding sides such as 18 and 28, respectively of the slab 10 andceiling 20. Other configurations of the walls 30 and the open end(s) 30′are also within the scope of the present invention.

As represented at least in FIGS. 5, the concrete modular element 1according to the present invention may comprise a plurality of beams,each one of the plurality indicated as 40. The plurality of beams 40 notonly serves as structural support to the modular concrete structure 1,but as is perhaps best shown in FIG. 5, two or more successive beams 40may be disposed in spaced apart relation. This spaced apart relation atleast partially creates a chamber(s), indicated throughout as 42. Thechamber(s) 42, permit passage of air therebetween. Because hot air mayaccumulate below a building or other structure, this passage of airthrough the chamber(s) 42 at least partially permits circulation ofcurrents of cooler air, which may serve as natural ventilation to themodular concrete structure 1. Thus, the air chambers 42 may at leastpartially lower the temperature of the modular concrete structure 1. Forexample, the illustrative embodiment as represented in FIG. 5 showsthree beams 40 which cooperatively form two different chambers 42, eachof which permits the passage of air.

It is within the scope of the present invention that the modularconcrete element 1 be formed in different sizes according to thespecific intended application. Consequently, the size and/or thicknessof each of the above-referenced components of the inventive modularelement 1, namely the slab 10, ceiling 20, walls 30, beams 40, may varyaccordingly. The modular concrete element 1 according to the presentinvention may be cast on the site of the building or structure 100.Specifically, the concrete modular element 1 may be directly cast in itsfinal intended location of the building or structure 100. This isreferred to as “cast-in-place concrete”. Alternatively, the concretemodular element 1 may also be cast on a location which is withinrelative proximity to its final intended location of the building orstructure 100, to permit manageable hoisting of the concrete modularelement 1 once it has sufficiently hardened. This is referred to as“pre-cast concrete”. “Pre-cast concrete” also refers to a concretemodular element 1 that is cast in a location not within sufficientproximity to the building or structure 100, and which would requireadditional means of transporting the concrete modular element 1 such astrucks or other related ground transportation.

With reference now to FIGS. 8-12, additional features of the presentinvention comprise using more than one concrete modular element 1 toform at least a portion of a two, or more, story structure of building100. Regardless of whether the inventive concrete modular element 1comprises a plurality of support beams 40, the concrete modular element1 may be placed directly above the ground surface. Alternatively, andalso regardless of whether the concrete modular element 1 comprises aplurality of support beams 40, the inventive concrete modular element 1may be placed directly on a foundation system which may comprise piles,mat footings, or other related system(s) which can provide adequatesupport to the concrete modular element 1. Specifically, the airchamber(s) 42 may be formed between the sides 44 of the beams 40, theunderside 10′ of the slab 10, and/or the ground surface.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, one, or more,concrete modular element(s) 1 may be disposed on top of a different andcorresponding concrete modular element(s) 1, to form at least part of atwo, or more, story structure or building 100. As shown in theillustrative embodiments represented in FIGS. 8-12, one concrete modularelement 1 may be disposed above a different and corresponding concretemodular element 1 to form at least a portion of a two story building orstructure 100. In the illustrative embodiment as represented in FIGS.8-9B, and 11-12, air chambers 42 are not only formed between the firstor lower concrete modular element 1 and the ground surface, but alsobetween the first or lower concrete modular element 1 and the second orhigher concrete modular element 1 disposed directly above. A differentconfiguration comprises a concrete modular element 1, without aplurality of support beams 40, disposed on top of a different concretemodular element 1, with or without a plurality of support beams 40. Forexample, the illustrative embodiment as represented in FIG. 10 comprisesa concrete modular element 1, without a plurality of support beams 40,disposed directly above a different concrete modular element 1 having aplurality of support beams 40. In the illustrative embodiment asrepresented in FIGS. 8-9B, and 11-12, air chambers 42 are formed betweenconsecutive ones of the plurality of support beams 40 and the underside10′ of the slab 10 of a top concrete modular element 1, and the topsection 20′ of the ceiling 20 of a different, and lower, concretemodular element 1 disposed directly below the top concrete modularelement 1.

Yet additional features of the present invention include providing aconcrete modular element 1 comprising a ceiling 20 with a substantiallyinclined or a substantially horizontal orientation. For the purposes offorming a structure or building 100, or part thereof, a ceiling 20comprising a substantially inclined orientation may be advantageous fora variety of purposes. Storm water may pond or otherwise accumulate onsubstantially horizontal surfaces. Therefore, although not strictlynecessary, it may be advantageous to provide a concrete modular element1 with a ceiling 20 having a substantially inclined configuration. Forexample, a substantially inclined configuration of the ceiling 20 maypermit adequate runoff and/or drainage during or after rain events.Conversely, and with reference to at least FIGS. 8-9A, and 11-12, aconcrete modular element 1 having a ceiling 20 with a substantiallyhorizontal orientation may be provided if a different concrete modularelement 1 is to be disposed directly above.

With reference to FIG. 9B, other arrangements are also possible andinclude combinations of concrete modular elements 1 comprising a ceiling20 with a substantially horizontal orientation, and other concretemodular elements 1 comprising a ceiling 20 with a substantially inclinedorientation. This orientation may be advantageous in buildings orstructures 100 comprising more than two stories. For example, as isrepresented in FIG. 9B, the top or highest concrete modular element 1may comprise a ceiling 20 with a substantially inclined orientation topermit drainage and/or runoff, while the lower concrete modularelement(s) 1 disposed below may comprise a ceiling 20 with asubstantially horizontal orientation that can at least partially provideand/or maintain stability.

The use of concrete as a material of the concrete modular element 1 isadvantageous because various additives may be included as a part of theconcrete mixture that will be eventually cast. Such additives will aidin removing the concrete from its forming components, which maythemselves comprise wood, metal, plastic, or even concrete. Theadditives, also known as admixtures, may be applied to the concretemixture so that the resulting concrete modular structure 1 comprisesdifferent properties according to the specific application or need. Forexample, some admixtures may permit better control of the concreteduring casting or placement. Other admixtures may be advantageous tocompensate for relatively high or low ambient temperatures and/ormoisture conditions. Other admixtures may be advantageous to facilitateremoval of the concrete modular element 1 form the forms. Admixtures mayalso be used to at least partially achieve a specialized finish such asthat of architectural concrete. On the other hand, the concrete modularelement 1 may also be provided without architectural or otherwisedecorative finishes. Accordingly, the user or owner of the building orstructure 100 may eventually customize the outside and/or insidesurface(s) of individual concrete modular element(s) 1 according topreference and/or budgetary constraints.

Depending on the intended use, the inventive concrete modular element 1may form a complete structure by itself, or may be used in conjunctionwith other concrete modular element(s) 1 to form a building or structure100, or section thereof. It is contemplated that the entire modularconcrete element 1 be continuously cast. That is, the modular concreteelement 1 should be fabricated or otherwise constructed in a continuouscasting of concrete. As used herein, a continuous casting of concreterefers to placing a fresh concrete mixture into the forms or molds, suchthat the concrete may conform to the shape of the molds, and such thatthe resulting concrete modular element 1 is substantially free of anycold joints. Cold joints are those discontinuities or otherwiseinconsistencies in the concrete which manifest when a portion of theconcrete begins to set or harden before the next and/or adjacent portionof concrete is cast. Cold joints may least partially reduce theeffective strength of the concrete as they are an area of relativeweakness.

The concrete mixture does not necessarily need to be cast or otherwisepoured in a single and/or uninterrupted placement. Instead, multiple orotherwise partial placements of the concrete mixture may be made so longas any concrete that has already been placed remains substantially freshand has not begun to harden or set. The time in which concrete begins toset depends on several factors including the properties of the concretemixture, ambient conditions, temperature, and other related factors.These factors should be taken into account when coordinating the timingof the placement(s), or portions thereof, so that cold joints aresubstantially avoided.

After sufficient time has elapsed for the concrete to set or otherwiseharden, the molds or otherwise forms, may be removed from the resultingconcrete modular element 1. The concrete modular element 1 may compriseattachment structures which will assist hoisting of the concrete modularelement 1. The concrete forms may be configured to at least partiallyform the shape of or otherwise provide the space for an attachmentstructure(s). The attachment structure(s) may also be placed inside ofthe form so that the attachment structure(s) are embedded therein, andform part of the resulting concrete modular element 1. Alternatively,the attachment structures may be installed on the concrete modularelement 1 after the concrete has been cast.

Hoisting may be required to transport the concrete modular element(s) 1.For example, the inventive concrete modular element 1 may have to betransported from the site of manufacture to the site of the building orstructure 100, if these two sites or locations are different. Hoistingmay also facilitate positioning of the concrete modular element withindifferent locations of the site of the building or structure 100. Thus,the unitary or otherwise integral nature of the inventive concretemodular element 1, permits an at least partially increased efficacy whenhoisting or otherwise transporting of all of the components of theconcrete modular element 1. Specifically, given the unitary or otherwiseintegral nature of the individual components of the inventive modularconcrete element 1, namely the slab 10, the walls 30, the ceiling 20,and/or the plurality of beams 40, all of these components may be hoistedor otherwise transported together, instead of having to transport themor hoist them individually.

A further advantage of using continuously cast concrete is that it atleast partially reduces the risk of fracture, breakage, or otherwisedetachment of any of the components of the concrete modular element 1.It is within the scope of the present invention that hoisting orotherwise transporting the concrete modular element 1 may be achievedwith cranes, lifts, or other related machinery capable of supporting,lifting and/or transporting the weight of the concrete modular element1. Adequate reinforcement should be provided to the inventive concretemodular element 1 in order to further limit cracking or breaking duringhoisting or transporting. Such reinforcement may comprise steel,including steel bars of different sizes according to the need.Therefore, structural calculations, such as by a professional engineer,should take into account these considerations. The reinforcement mayalso comprised different types of mesh, including wire mesh. Thereinforcement should be embedded within or otherwise provided inside ofthe concrete. For example, reinforced concrete may comprise steel bars,which may be provided inside of the forms so that the concrete mix maysubstantially surround the reinforcement, and so that the concrete maysubsequently harden with the embedded reinforcement. Also as an example,a plurality of reinforcement bars may be spread substantially evenly onthe inside of the concrete to substantially provide reinforcementthroughout the intended section(s) of the concrete.

Other features of the present invention include providing a concretemodular element 1 having at least one opening substantially along on thewall(s) 30. Specifically, such opening may accommodate a buildingcomponent such as, but not limited to, a window, a door, or a similarbuilding component. The concrete forms may be configured accordingly,such that when the concrete is cast, the resulting wall(s) 30 are formedwith the opening(s). The size of the opening may vary according topreference. The door(s) and/or window(s) may be disposed on wall(s) 30,of the concrete modular element 1 that separate the building orstructure 100 from the outside. Alternatively, it may be desirable tohave walls, doors, or other similar building components, inside of thebuilding or structure 100, and between different sections thereof. Forexample, an opening for a door may be disposed between a wall(s) 30 ofthe concrete modular element 1 that separates two different rooms orareas inside of the building or structure 100. It is also possible,depending on the specific purpose, to provide an opening on the slab 10and/or ceiling 20 of the concrete modular element 1. Again, the unitarynature of the concrete modular element 1 should be maintained, even whenan opening(s) is disposed on the wall(s) 30. The building component,such as the door or window, may be installed on the opening of thewall(s) 30 either before or after the concrete modular element 1 iscast. Additionally, the building component may be installed on theconcrete modular element 1 either before or after it is transported orotherwise hoisted to its intended location within the building orstructure 100.

Even further features of the present invention include combining one ormore concrete modular elements 1 to form at least a portion of anoverall larger building or structure 100. Each concrete modular element1 may be hoisted or otherwise transported to its intended locationwithin the building or structure 100, and with relative ease given itsintegral nature. Adjacently disposed concrete modular elements 1 may besecured to one another with a variety of mechanisms including, but notlimited to, brackets, connectors, rods, membranes, relatively thinsupporting elements such as lath, or other compounds suitable for eachspecific application. For example, elastic and water repellentmembranes, sheets of expanded polystyrene, welded meshes and rods,and/or a variety of inner coatings may be used. Other components thatmay also be used to secure two or more adjacent concrete modularelements 1 include, but are not necessarily limited to concrete, mortar,cement, or other related products. Moreover, polyurethane, and otherrelated products, may be used to achieve and/or maintain, thesubstantially watertight integrity of the concrete modular element(s) 1and/or the resulting building or structure 100.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A concrete modular element for use in a varietyof building applications, said modular element comprising: a slabcomprising a plurality of elongated sides, a ceiling, at least two wallseach connected to said slab substantially along the length of acorresponding one of said plurality of sides, each of said at least twowalls connected to said ceiling, at least one open end substantiallydisposed adjacent to said at least two walls, and said slab, saidceiling, and said at least two walls, integrally formed in a continuousconcrete casting.
 2. The concrete modular modular element as recited inclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of support beams disposed in aspaced relation to each other; each of said plurality of support beamsconnected to said slab.
 3. The concrete modular element as recited inclaim 2 wherein said plurality of support beams are structured anddimensioned to form at least one air chamber that permits air passagebetween said support beams.
 4. The concrete modular element as recitedin claim 2 wherein said slab said ceiling, said at least two walls, andsaid plurality of support beams are formed in a continuous concretecasting.
 5. The concrete modular element as recited in claim 2 whereinat least one of said plurality of support beams is connected to saidslab substantially along the length of one of said plurality of sides ofthe slab.
 6. The concrete modular element as recited in claim 5 whereindifferent ones of said plurality of support beams are connectedsubstantially along the length of different and corresponding ones ofsaid plurality of sides of the slab.
 7. The concrete modular element asrecited in claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of support beams isdisposed below said slab.
 8. The concrete modular element as recited inclaim 1 further comprising pre-cast concrete.
 9. The concrete modularelement as recited in claim 1 further comprising cast-in-place concrete.10. The concrete modular element as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising reinforced concrete.
 11. The concrete modular element asrecited in claim 10 wherein said reinforced concrete comprises steelbars disposed therein.
 12. The concrete modular element as recited inclaim 10 wherein said reinforced concrete comprises mesh therein. 13.The concrete modular element as recited in claim 1 wherein said ceilingcomprises a substantially horizontal orientation.
 14. The concretemodular element as recited in claim 1 wherein said ceiling comprises asubstantially inclined orientation.
 15. A concrete modular element foruse in a variety of building applications, said modular elementcomprising: a slab comprising four elongated sides, a ceiling, two wallseach connected to said slab substantially along the length of acorresponding one of said four sides, each of said two walls connectedto said ceiling, two open ends, each substantially disposed adjacent toat least one of said two walls, and said slab, said ceiling, and said atleast two walls, formed in a continuous concrete casting.
 16. Theconcrete modular element as recited in claim 15 wherein said two wallsare disposed adjacent to each other.
 17. The concrete modular element asrecited in claim 15 wherein said two walls are oppositely disposed toeach other.
 18. A plurality of concrete modular elements for use in avariety of building applications, each of said plurality of modularelement comprising: a slab comprising a plurality of elongated sides, aceiling, at least two walls each connected to said slab substantiallyalong the length of a corresponding one of said plurality of sides, eachof said at least two walls connected to said ceiling, at least one openend substantially disposed adjacent to said at least two walls, and saidslab, said ceiling, and said at least two walls, formed in a continuousconcrete casting.
 19. The plurality of concrete modular elements asrecited in claim 18 wherein at least one of said plurality of concretemodular elements is disposed above a corresponding different one of saidplurality of concrete modular elements to at least partially define astructure comprising two levels.